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Monday, June 7

Vissel 1 - 1 Yokohama FM

Well even though we're out of the Nabisco Cup for 2010, we didn't go quietly. A one all draw wasn't good enough as we needed a win just to have a faint chance of progressing through to the next round. However, it was an entertaining game with a lot of end to end football and goal mouth action. We had the best of the chances and more of the ball and really should have had all three points from this, but it's the usual story of being caught napping and giving away easy goals. Popo put us in front with a cracking free kick on the hour only to see Marinos pull one back as our four defenders stood there looking at each other wondering what happened. I don't know what it is with Miura, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt this time but a few minutes before they scored he substituted Edmilson for Kondo, pushing Matsuoka up into midfield, bad luck?,bad timing? bad judgement?

Our big number 27 didn't play, I think he was rested, which was a pity as this game would have been perfect for him with all the goal mouth action I'm sure he could have got a foot or head to a loose ball and put in the net. A plea to Miura, please leave Mogi up front, he was quite sharp at times and was unlucky not to score. Let him and Tokura spend some time playing together, I really believe they can develop a good understanding and be quite potent together. With Okubo in an attacking midfield role there's goals to be had in the second of the season. If a defender has to be repaced then put a bloody defender there and leave Mogi where he is. Also let Ishibitsu take the corners, Botti's just not effective anymore.

Well here's hoping for a better second half, starting off with a win over Omiya on the 25th of July followed by a demolition of the rabble Gamba on the 28th.